Michael Finewax

The Week Ahead

Brian Burke is working out

I was talking this week with my brother Larry about the job that Brian Burke has done with the Toronto Maple Leafs since taking over almost 39 months ago.

We both agreed that he deserved kudos.

He came to the Maple Leafs with the cupboard almost bare. They were not a playoff team and there were few players in the system who would eventually become NHL players.

Now most teams recuperate by falling to the bottom of the standings for three-five years, get some great draft picks and in six or seven years are ready to burst through again. . . Burke did not want to take the time to do this, but had another plan in mind.

Before the lockout, it was a lot easier to do as there was no salary cap and successful (at least money-wise) franchises could just buy whomever they wanted to improve the squad. But when the hard salary cap came about, teams could not do it.

This past off-season the Nashville Predators were unsure whether the concussed Matthew Lombardi would ever be able to play again so Burke got them to throw in a good offensive defenseman in Cody Franson and gave up Brett Lebda and a minor leaguer who is unlikely to ever come close to the NHL. Meanwhile Lombardi recovered and is a speedy third line center.

Some of his free agent signings like Tyler Bozak and Jonas Gustavsson have worked out while others like Chris Hansen and Brayden Irwin have not but he did not give up anything other than money in these deals.

The Ducks play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Iiro Tarkki to play possibly once in place of Jonas Hiller. They are tired on Wednesday when they face a rested Pittsburgh team after playing in Minnesota Tuesday. Anaheim are in the midst of an eight game road trip. They are one of the hottest teams in the NHL with an 11-2-2 record over their last 15 but they were so far back when they started, their chances of post-season action are slim-to-none. Niklas Hagman has moved down to the fourth line. Devante Smith-Pelly is on a 14 day conditioning stint as he tries to return from a broken leg suffered in the World Junior Championships. Jeff Deslauriers was sent to the minors to get in some playing action and the Ducks recalled Iiro Tarkki to back up Jonas Hiller.

BOSTON

Games this week

vs. New York Rangers, @ Montreal, @ Winnipeg, @ Minnesota

Notes

The Bruins play three games in four nights as well as four times this week so expect to see Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask share the net. The Bruins are tired Wednesday against the Canadiens in Montreal after playing the Rangers at home on Tuesday. They are the rested team twice this week, once facing the Jets in Winnipeg on Friday after the Jets play in Minnesota Thursday and then on Sunday in Minnesota after the Wild face off against the Blues in St. Louis Saturday. The Bruins are 2-4 since Tim Thomas refused to go to the White House. Zach Hamill cleared waivers and was sent to the minors. Nathan Horton, although skating, may not be close to returning from a concussion and coach Claude Julien will not even talk about it anymore until he has a full practice. The Bruins switched up a couple of lines with Chris Kelly now centering Milan Lucic and Rich Peverley, while David Krejci in between Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Caron.

BUFFALO

Games this week

vs. New Jersey, @ Philadelphia, vs. Montreal, vs. Pittsburgh

Notes

Buffalo plays three games in four nights so look for Jhonas Enroth to play once in place of Ryan Miller. The Sabres will be tired on Friday when they take on a rested Montreal squad as Buffalo will play the Flyers on Thursday, but will be rested Sunday against the Penguins who play in Philadelphia Saturday. Thomas Vanek (upper body) is starting to skate on his own and could return this week. Ryan Miller had a couple of wins this past week and is now the Sabres all-time leader in wins, passing Dominik Hasek. The Sabres have moved Paul Gaustad from center to the wing, figuring he will be more effective there.

CALGARY

Games this week

vs. Toronto, @ Dallas, @ Los Angeles

Notes

Miikka Kiprusoff won his 300th game in a Flames uniform this past week. Olli Jokinen has been hot of late and never as much as Wednesday when he had a hand in all four goals with a hat trick and an assist in the Flames 4-3 win. He had not potted a goal in 15 games before scoring on February 3. Alex Tanguay is also getting hot with a goal and six points in his last four games. Don’t expect Curtis Glencross to return by the end of February from an MCL injury. Lee Stempniak will also miss at least a month with a high ankle sprain. Henrik Karlsson was sent to the minors on a conditioning stint after missing two months with a knee injury. Leland Irving was recalled to take his place.

CAROLINA

Games this week

@ Montreal, vs. San Jose, @ New York Islanders

Notes

The Hurricanes are rested on Friday when they take on San Jose who are in Tampa Bay on Thursday. They are tired the next night when playing the Islanders on Long Island. Tuomo Ruutu is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and will talk with GM Jim Rutherford in the next few days as to his future with the Hurricanes. If he is willing to re-sign, then he won’t be traded but if he is unsure then Rutherford will deal him as the Hurricanes are not going to make an appearance in the post-season. Justin Faulk leads all rookies in ice time as he is averaging 22:34 minutes this season. Anthony Stewart was placed on and cleared waivers.

CHICAGO

Games this week

@ Nashville, @ New York Rangers, @ Columbus, v. St. Louis

Notes

The Blackhawks finally finish a nine game road trip and it has been disastrous thus far. They play four games this week, including three games in four nights so expect to see Ray Emery play at least once in place of Corey Crawford. The Blackhawks have currently not won in eight straight road games. The flu seems to be going through the Chicago dressing room as Bryan Bickell, Nick Leddy, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Viktor Stalberg missed practice on Wednesday after Jonathan Toews was ill earlier in the week. Brendan Morrison still does not have regular linemates as the Blackhawks have shuffled him among the bottom three lines since his trade from Calgary a couple of weeks ago.

COLORADO

Games this week

@ Vancouver, @ Edmonton, @ Winnipeg

Notes

The Avalanche are in Western Canada this week, although they will miss Calgary. Matt Duchene is back skating and actually practice some stickhandling and shooting but his return is still unknown as he has been out of action since December 29 with a knee injury. Jean-Sebastien Giguere has taken over as the Avalanche’s top netminder as he has played in ten games since the start of 2012, while Semyon Varlamov has started only five. Peter Mueller is getting hot with six points in his last seven games. David Jones, a UFA at the end of the season if he doesn’t re-sign, could be on the trade block as the deadline nears. Gabriel Landeskog leads all rookies in shots on goal with 164.

COLUMBUS

Games this week

vs. St. Louis, vs. Chicago, @ New York Rangers

Notes

The Blue Jackets will be tired on Sunday when they are in New York to play the Rangers as they are home to Chicago on Saturday. Vaclav Prospal signed a one year extension of his contract so he is unlikely to be traded by the deadline. Columbus may be better off blowing up the team, trading Rick Nash and Jeff Carter and starting over, but the lack of fans over the next few seasons could alter those plans. Ryan Johansen may be the Blue Jackets first line center of the future but he has been a healthy scratch the last four games. Mark Letestu had the pin taken out of his hand and could return this week. Kristian Huselius has only played in two games this season and his year could be over as he is having a tough time recovering from a groin injury. Look for Nikita Nikitin (knee) to return to action this week or next. The same timetable goes for James Wisniewski who is out with a broken ankle.

Daniel Cleary will need surgery on his knee for a cyst and he missed the third period on Wednesday when he took a check on said knee in the second stanza. It looks like Ty Conklin is strictly a backup no matter who is starting for the Red Wings. Jimmy Howard went down last week with a broken finger and Conklin failed miserably in his shot in net, so Joey MacDonald took over and has played well, giving up only four goals in two games, winning one. Speaking of Howard, (or at least writing about him) he practiced with the team on Wednesday but did not take any shots so there is no firm date for his return. Brad Stuart is eligible to become a UFA on July 1, but don’t expect him to re-sign with the Red Wings before the end of the season, if at all.

I was talking this week with my brother Larry about the job that Brian Burke has done with the Toronto Maple Leafs since taking over almost 39 months ago.

We both agreed that he deserved kudos.

He came to the Maple Leafs with the cupboard almost bare. They were not a playoff team and there were few players in the system who would eventually become NHL players.

Now most teams recuperate by falling to the bottom of the standings for three-five years, get some great draft picks and in six or seven years are ready to burst through again. . . Burke did not want to take the time to do this, but had another plan in mind.

Before the lockout, it was a lot easier to do as there was no salary cap and successful (at least money-wise) franchises could just buy whomever they wanted to improve the squad. But when the hard salary cap came about, teams could not do it.

This past off-season the Nashville Predators were unsure whether the concussed Matthew Lombardi would ever be able to play again so Burke got them to throw in a good offensive defenseman in Cody Franson and gave up Brett Lebda and a minor leaguer who is unlikely to ever come close to the NHL. Meanwhile Lombardi recovered and is a speedy third line center.

Some of his free agent signings like Tyler Bozak and Jonas Gustavsson have worked out while others like Chris Hansen and Brayden Irwin have not but he did not give up anything other than money in these deals.

The Ducks play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Iiro Tarkki to play possibly once in place of Jonas Hiller. They are tired on Wednesday when they face a rested Pittsburgh team after playing in Minnesota Tuesday. Anaheim are in the midst of an eight game road trip. They are one of the hottest teams in the NHL with an 11-2-2 record over their last 15 but they were so far back when they started, their chances of post-season action are slim-to-none. Niklas Hagman has moved down to the fourth line. Devante Smith-Pelly is on a 14 day conditioning stint as he tries to return from a broken leg suffered in the World Junior Championships. Jeff Deslauriers was sent to the minors to get in some playing action and the Ducks recalled Iiro Tarkki to back up Jonas Hiller.

BOSTON

Games this week

vs. New York Rangers, @ Montreal, @ Winnipeg, @ Minnesota

Notes

The Bruins play three games in four nights as well as four times this week so expect to see Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask share the net. The Bruins are tired Wednesday against the Canadiens in Montreal after playing the Rangers at home on Tuesday. They are the rested team twice this week, once facing the Jets in Winnipeg on Friday after the Jets play in Minnesota Thursday and then on Sunday in Minnesota after the Wild face off against the Blues in St. Louis Saturday. The Bruins are 2-4 since Tim Thomas refused to go to the White House. Zach Hamill cleared waivers and was sent to the minors. Nathan Horton, although skating, may not be close to returning from a concussion and coach Claude Julien will not even talk about it anymore until he has a full practice. The Bruins switched up a couple of lines with Chris Kelly now centering Milan Lucic and Rich Peverley, while David Krejci in between Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Caron.

BUFFALO

Games this week

vs. New Jersey, @ Philadelphia, vs. Montreal, vs. Pittsburgh

Notes

Buffalo plays three games in four nights so look for Jhonas Enroth to play once in place of Ryan Miller. The Sabres will be tired on Friday when they take on a rested Montreal squad as Buffalo will play the Flyers on Thursday, but will be rested Sunday against the Penguins who play in Philadelphia Saturday. Thomas Vanek (upper body) is starting to skate on his own and could return this week. Ryan Miller had a couple of wins this past week and is now the Sabres all-time leader in wins, passing Dominik Hasek. The Sabres have moved Paul Gaustad from center to the wing, figuring he will be more effective there.

CALGARY

Games this week

vs. Toronto, @ Dallas, @ Los Angeles

Notes

Miikka Kiprusoff won his 300th game in a Flames uniform this past week. Olli Jokinen has been hot of late and never as much as Wednesday when he had a hand in all four goals with a hat trick and an assist in the Flames 4-3 win. He had not potted a goal in 15 games before scoring on February 3. Alex Tanguay is also getting hot with a goal and six points in his last four games. Don’t expect Curtis Glencross to return by the end of February from an MCL injury. Lee Stempniak will also miss at least a month with a high ankle sprain. Henrik Karlsson was sent to the minors on a conditioning stint after missing two months with a knee injury. Leland Irving was recalled to take his place.

CAROLINA

Games this week

@ Montreal, vs. San Jose, @ New York Islanders

Notes

The Hurricanes are rested on Friday when they take on San Jose who are in Tampa Bay on Thursday. They are tired the next night when playing the Islanders on Long Island. Tuomo Ruutu is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and will talk with GM Jim Rutherford in the next few days as to his future with the Hurricanes. If he is willing to re-sign, then he won’t be traded but if he is unsure then Rutherford will deal him as the Hurricanes are not going to make an appearance in the post-season. Justin Faulk leads all rookies in ice time as he is averaging 22:34 minutes this season. Anthony Stewart was placed on and cleared waivers.

CHICAGO

Games this week

@ Nashville, @ New York Rangers, @ Columbus, v. St. Louis

Notes

The Blackhawks finally finish a nine game road trip and it has been disastrous thus far. They play four games this week, including three games in four nights so expect to see Ray Emery play at least once in place of Corey Crawford. The Blackhawks have currently not won in eight straight road games. The flu seems to be going through the Chicago dressing room as Bryan Bickell, Nick Leddy, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Viktor Stalberg missed practice on Wednesday after Jonathan Toews was ill earlier in the week. Brendan Morrison still does not have regular linemates as the Blackhawks have shuffled him among the bottom three lines since his trade from Calgary a couple of weeks ago.

COLORADO

Games this week

@ Vancouver, @ Edmonton, @ Winnipeg

Notes

The Avalanche are in Western Canada this week, although they will miss Calgary. Matt Duchene is back skating and actually practice some stickhandling and shooting but his return is still unknown as he has been out of action since December 29 with a knee injury. Jean-Sebastien Giguere has taken over as the Avalanche’s top netminder as he has played in ten games since the start of 2012, while Semyon Varlamov has started only five. Peter Mueller is getting hot with six points in his last seven games. David Jones, a UFA at the end of the season if he doesn’t re-sign, could be on the trade block as the deadline nears. Gabriel Landeskog leads all rookies in shots on goal with 164.

COLUMBUS

Games this week

vs. St. Louis, vs. Chicago, @ New York Rangers

Notes

The Blue Jackets will be tired on Sunday when they are in New York to play the Rangers as they are home to Chicago on Saturday. Vaclav Prospal signed a one year extension of his contract so he is unlikely to be traded by the deadline. Columbus may be better off blowing up the team, trading Rick Nash and Jeff Carter and starting over, but the lack of fans over the next few seasons could alter those plans. Ryan Johansen may be the Blue Jackets first line center of the future but he has been a healthy scratch the last four games. Mark Letestu had the pin taken out of his hand and could return this week. Kristian Huselius has only played in two games this season and his year could be over as he is having a tough time recovering from a groin injury. Look for Nikita Nikitin (knee) to return to action this week or next. The same timetable goes for James Wisniewski who is out with a broken ankle.

Daniel Cleary will need surgery on his knee for a cyst and he missed the third period on Wednesday when he took a check on said knee in the second stanza. It looks like Ty Conklin is strictly a backup no matter who is starting for the Red Wings. Jimmy Howard went down last week with a broken finger and Conklin failed miserably in his shot in net, so Joey MacDonald took over and has played well, giving up only four goals in two games, winning one. Speaking of Howard, (or at least writing about him) he practiced with the team on Wednesday but did not take any shots so there is no firm date for his return. Brad Stuart is eligible to become a UFA on July 1, but don’t expect him to re-sign with the Red Wings before the end of the season, if at all.

EDMONTON

Games this week

vs. Toronto, vs. Colorado, vs. Vancouver

Notes

The Oilers are the rested team twice this week. They face a tired Maple Leafs team on Wednesday as Toronto plays in Calgary the previous night, while on Saturday the Oilers take on Vancouver who entertain the Maple Leafs Saturday night. Sam Gagner has continued his sensational play since his eight point effort last week as he has seven points in his last four, giving him 15 points in his last five games. The Oilers are completely healthy on the blueline with the return of Tom Gilbert on Monday from an ankle injury. Jordan Eberle is also hot as he has six goals and nine points in his last five games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should return this week after a recurrence of a shoulder injury and they recalled former first round pick Magnus Paajarvi to take his spot.

FLORIDA

Games this week

vs. Ottawa, vs. Washington, vs. Anaheim

Notes

The Panthers are rested Wednesday when they face a tired Senators team who play in Tampa Bay the previous night. The Panthers are slumping, having lost 16 of their last 24 games. It will help that they are getting Jose Theodore back in the lineup as he has played in goal only twice in the new year as he has been out with a knee injury. They play all three games at home this week. After getting off to such a hot start, especially in the plus/minus category where he was among the NHL leaders, Tomas Fleischmann is now a minus-three.

LOS ANGELES

Games this week

vs. Phoenix, vs. Calgary

Notes

The Kings only play twice this week so we recommend benching all your Los Angeles players with the exception of Anze Kopitar and possibly Justin Williams. Slava Voynov continues to be a healthy scratch and would probably best be served by going down to the minors and playing a lot. The Kings have a great asset in Jonathan Bernier and since Jonathan Quick continues to play so well, they may be better off trading him for some offensive help as Kopitar can’t do it all himself. Kopitar leads the team with 47 points and 17 goals while Kyle Clifford is tops in penalty minutes with 85.

MINNESOTA

Games this week

vs. Anaheim, vs. Winnipeg, @ St. Louis, vs. Boston

Notes

The Wild play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Josh Harding to play once in place of Niklas Backstrom. They will be tired and facing a rested Boston team on Sunday after playing in St. Louis on Saturday. Mikko Koivu returned to action on Thursday after missing eight games with a shoulder injury. Dany Heatley is starting to heat up with five goals and nine points in his last six games. Nick Johnson has played very well centering Heatley and will continue to do so even with the return of Koivu.

MONTREAL

Games this week

vs. Carolina, vs. Boston, @ Buffalo, v. New Jersey

Notes

The Habs play four times this week but not three in four nights. They benefit twice as the rested team, once versus the Bruins on Wednesday after Boston are home to the Rangers the previous night, and on Friday when they are in Buffalo with the Sabres in Philadelphia Thursday. Scott Gomez scored on Thursday. It was his first goal in 369 days. Michael Blunden is out four-six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Max Pacioretty picked up the hat trick on Thursday giving him 20 goals on the season for the first time in his career. Andrei Markov skated for 40 minutes on Wednesday. He has not played since 2010 as he has had knee problems. There is still no timetable for his return. Look for Travis Moen to be dealt before the trade deadline.

NASHVILLE

Games this week

vs. Chicago, @ Detroit, @ Dallas

Notes

The Predators will be rested on Sunday when they face a tired Dallas team who are in Phoenix on Saturday. Sergei Kostitsyn has been meshing nicely with Martin Erat and Mike Fisher and has 15 points in his last 17 games. Pekka Rinne is 0-1-1 in his last two games but is 14-2-1 since the beginning of the New Year. Patric Hornqvist leads the Predators in goals with 15 while Martin Erat is tops in points with 40. Jordin Tootoo leads in penalty minutes with 66.

NEW JERSEY

Games this week

@ Buffalo, vs. Anaheim, @ Montreal

Notes

Martin Brodeur is day-to-day with an ankle injury so the Devils were forced to call up Jeff Frazee to backup Johan Hedberg. Adam Larsson has missed the last four games with a bruised lower back. Although he is exercising, he still has not been back skating. Travis Zajac has not played since January 2 as he tries to recover from an Achilles tendon injury and will still be out a month. Adam Henrique returned to action on Sunday after missing time with a groin strain. Ilya Kovalchuk had three goals and 10 points in four games last week and was named the NHL’s second star of the week.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Games this week

@ Winnipeg, @ St. Louis, vs. Carolina

Notes

The Islanders are rested on Saturday when they face Carolina as the Hurricanes are hosting San Jose Friday. Evgeni Nabokov has played very well of late and his name keeps popping up in trade talks as he will be a UFA on July 1. Frans Nielsen would have been in a similar spot but the Islanders signed him to a four-year/$11 million contract this past week. Travis Hamonic will be out a minimum of a couple of weeks after undergoing surgery to repair some facial fractures. John Tavares leads the Islanders in points with 53 and shots on goal with 192. Milan Jurcina is a team-worst minus-21, one better (or worse depending on your view) than Mark Streit.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Games this week

@ Boston, vs. Chicago, vs. Columbus

Notes

The Rangers are rested on Sunday when they play a tired Columbus team who are home to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. Brad Richards had the overtime winner on Thursday but has been in an offensive slump in the last 13 games as he has only two goals and two assists. His 35 points this season is way below what was expected of him by fantasy owners. Brandon Dubinsky is also in a big slump with only one goal and no assists in his past 10 games. Fortunately he has 75 penalty minutes this season, giving him some value in traditional leagues. Steve Eminger finally returned to the Rangers lineup on Thursday, replacing Stu Bickel on the blueline. He had not played since December 17 after suffering a separated shoulder.

OTTAWA

Games this week

@ Tampa Bay, @ Florida

Notes

The Senators play only twice this week so I suggest resting all your Senators in weekly transaction pools with the exception of Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. The Senators do not play after Wednesday this week but will be tired on Hump Day when they play in Florida after facing the Lightning on Tuesday in Tampa Bay. The Senators broke a seven game losing streak on Thursday as Spezza had a three point night. They put Alexander Auld in goal for his first start in 17 games and it paid off with the victory. Milan Michalek was the first player in the NHL to 20 goals this season but has gone without a goal in his last 12 games and has 23 this season.

PHILADELPHIA

Games this week

vs. Buffalo, vs. Pittsburgh

Notes

The Flyers play only twice this week so I recommend benching everyone with the exception of Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell in weekly pools. It seems that James van Riemsdyk is not getting close to returning to action from his concussion woes as he is still out indefinitely. Daniel Briere returned to action on Tuesday after missing six games with a concussion. Ilya Bryzgalov seems to have regained the lead as far as the starting goaltender for the Flyers is concerned, but missed Thursday’s game with the flu. Tom Sestito had a huge penalty minute game on Sunday with three fights and an automatic game misconduct.

PHOENIX

Games this week

vs. Vancouver, @ Los Angeles, vs. Dallas

Notes

There are rumors that Ray Whitney could be dealt by the deadline as the Coyotes do not look playoff-bound. The Sharks, Bruins and Rangers are rumored to be interested, but Whitney, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, has a limited no-trade contract in which he can he traded to eight teams of his choice. Well, he can’t be traded to all eight teams, but you know what I mean. Jeremy Roenick is part of a group that is looking into buying the Coyotes and keeping them in Phoenix. Radim Vrbata is having an outstanding year with 25 goals and 46 points, four points behind Whitney who leads the team.

PITTSBURGH

Games this week

vs. Anaheim, @ Philadelphia, @ Buffalo

Notes

The Penguins are the rested team Wednesday when they face the Ducks who are in Minnesota on Tuesday and are the tired squad Sunday against the rested Sabres in Buffalo after playing in Philadelphia Saturday. Jordan Staal is looking to return to action on February 11 after missing over a month with a knee injury. Tyler Kennedy is out for four-six weeks with a high ankle sprain. Coach Dan Bylsma said that Brent Johnson will play in seven-to-eleven games the rest of the way as the Penguins still have 28 to play. Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL in scoring with 62 points, one ahead of Claude Giroux and two ahead of Phil Kessel. Big news in Pittsburgh and the hockey world as Sidney Crosby practiced on Monday but there is still no timetable for his return from a concussion and a soft tissue neck injury.

ST. LOUIS

Games this week

@ Columbus, vs. New York Islanders, vs. Minnesota, @ Chicago

Notes

The Blues play four games this week and the all-important three games in four nights so look for Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott to share the net. David Perron is heating up with three goals in his last two games. Kent Huskins has been out since October 28 with an ankle injury but is close to returning. Chris Stewart has not had a good season with the Blues and could be on the trading block. David Backes leads the Blues in goals (16), assists (23), points (39), penalty minutes (81) and is second in plus/minus at plus-17 to Alexander Steen who is plus-20.

SAN JOSE

Games this week

@ Washington, @ Tampa Bay, @ Carolina, @ Detroit

Notes

The Sharks play four times this week and play three games in four nights so look for Thomas Greiss to play at least once in place of Antti Niemi. The Sharks are tired Friday when they play in Carolina as they faceoff against the Lightning on Thursday. Martin Havlat (groin) is still not skating but should do so in the near future according to coach Todd McLellan. Dan Boyle is suffering from the flu. Andrew Murray went untouched through waivers and is back in the AHL. Patrick Marleau has 41 points in 50 games while Joe Thornton has 35 assists thus far this season.

TAMPA BAY

Games this week

vs. Ottawa, vs. San Jose, vs. Washington

Notes

The Lightning are home for all three this week. They are rested on Saturday when they face Washington who play in Florida Friday night. Steve Stamkos leads the NHL in goals with 36. Ryan Malone is starting to skate as he has been out of action since January 21 with an upper body injury. He could be headed to Vancouver in a deal for Cory Schneider as the Lightning desparately need a goalie with Dwayne Roloson on his last legs and Mathieu Garon a back up at best. Marc-Andre Bergeron returned on Tuesday after missing nine games with a back injury.

TORONTO

Games this week

@ Calgary, @ Edmonton, @ Vancouver

Notes

The Maple Leafs play in Western Canada this week and will be tired on Wednesday in Edmonton after playing the Flames in Calgary Tuesday. James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson will likely split the net until one or the other gets hot. Reimer was outstanding last week stopping all 74 shots in earning the third star award for Player of the Week. He has not been nearly as good this week giving up seven goals in two games. Phil Kessel currently is the only NHL player to score 30 or more goals in each of the last four years and has four goals and nine points in his last four games.

VANCOUVER

Games this week

@ Phoenix, vs. Colorado, vs. Toronto, @ Edmonton

Notes

The Canucks play four times this week. They are a tired team on Sunday when they are in Edmonton after playing the Maple Leafs at home Saturday. Henrik Sedin’s consecutive games streak was in jeopardy as he suffered an ankle injury but an MRI showed no damage and he played Thursday. Byron Bitz is playing on the top line with the Sedin Twins and the enforcer is showing some offensive skill with a goal and three points in his last two games and seven penalty minutes in three games. Christopher Higgins had his third staph infection within the last year and changed medications to combat the illness. He is still not ready to return. Maxim Lapierre leads the Canucks with 116 penalty minutes.

WASHINGTON

Games this week

vs. San Jose, @Florida, @ Tampa Bay

Notes

The Capitals are tired on Saturday when they face the Lightning after playing the Panthers the previous night. Nicklas Backstrom has no timetable for his return from a concussion as he has skated only five minutes in total over the last five weeks. He is hoping to be ready for the playoffs but the Capitals still have to qualify for the post-season. Alex Ovechkin has been heating up of late with three goals and an assist in his last two games. Mike Knuble found himself a healthy scratch on Thursday after going 27 games without a goal.

WINNIPEG

Games this week

vs. New York Islanders, @ Minnesota, vs. Boston, vs. Colorado

Notes

The Jets play four times this week including three games in four nights so expect to see Chris Mason at least once in place of Ondrej Pavelec. The Jets are tired Friday when they are home to Boston after playing in Minnesota Thursday. The flu bug seems to be going through the Jets dressing room as Tim Stapleton and Kyle Wellwood are battling the illness. Evander Kane returned to action Tuesday after missing seven games with a concussion. His absence was sorely missed.